Bill of Lading Definitions

Carrier: Means the party named in the Signature Box on the face of the Bill of Lading.

Merchant: Any person who at any time has been or becomes the shipper, Holder, Consignee or any person who owns or is entitled the possession of goods or this Bill of Lading.

Sub- contractor: Includes owners and operators of the vessels, stevedores, group-age operators, road rail and air transport operators and any independent contractor employed by the carrier in performance of the carriage and any sub-contractors thereof.

Goods: Means the whole or any part of the cargo received from the shipper and includes the packing and any equipment or container not supplied by or on behalf of the carrier.

Carriage: Means the whole or any part of the operations and services undertaken by the carrier in respect of the Goods covered by this bill of lading.

Port of loading: Port at which the goods are loaded on board the vessel for carriage under the BL.

Vessel: Any waterborne craft made up of steel construction with self propulsion used in the carriage under the Bill of Lading which may be a feed vessel or a ocean carrier (Mother vessel).

Multi-modal transit or Combined Transport: Where more than one mode of transport is involved. Ex The BL says port of loading Antwerp Belgium and discharge port ICD, Bangalore. From Antwerp to Chennai Port the container will come by sea. Then from Chennai to Bangalore the container will be transported either by Rail or by Road. The goods are under the custody of the carrier till it is delivered at ICD, Bangalore.

Shipped on Board: Relates only to the container / cargo received by the carrier and kept on board and for which a BL is issued.

Freight: Includes all charges payable to the carrier in accordance with the applicable tariff. Freight may be Pre-paid or To collect.